Bangladesh BGBA cautions members against using Xinjiang cotton, yarn

29 Jun '22

2 min read

Pic: Shutterstock

Bangladesh’s apparel exports to the United States may be hit due to a US import restriction on goods having any link to China’s Xinjiang region, according to industry insiders. The concern followed a recent directive by the Bangladesh Garment Buying House Association (BGBA) asking its members to be cautious about sourcing raw materials from the Xinjiang region.

Tim Armstrong and Reza Patwary, who are conducting a regional assessment on behalf of the Indo Pacific Opportunity Project implemented by International Development Group and funded by USAID, met BGBA president Kazi Iftekher Hossain and general secretary Aminul Islam, according to a BGBA statement.

The delegation informed the BGBA leaders that any garment produced in Bangladesh could not enter the United States if it is produced from imported fabric using Xinjiang cotton, it said.

"The products will be seized if any connection to Xinjiang cotton is found," it said, adding exporters would not get their payments against their shipped goods if seized.

They also held a meeting with the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA).

Former president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Fazlul Hoque, however, said manufacturers are strictly monitoring the issue and many of them have already found alternatives to source yarn and fabric. Domestic knitters source yarn and fabric from the local market, he said.

"But the woven sub-sector that meets the majority of its demand for fabric through import might face some challenges," he told an English-language daily in the country.

He also claimed that the spinners would not face any challenges as they import raw cotton mostly from African countries, India and the United States.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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